Where Is My Alien Registration Number or A number?

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What is A number?

An alien number, commonly known as ‘A number’ is assigned to each person who intends to immigrate to the USA.

This 7 to 9-digit number, prefixed with the letter ‘A’ can be found in various documents that have been issued to you by USCIS.

The 9-digit USCIS number printed on US permanent resident green cards is the same as the A-number.

Please note that the PERM ETA number is not the same as the A (Alien) number.

This article will discuss:

Where Can I find my Alien Number?
FAQ

Where Can I find my Alien Number?

i140 – A number on i797 form

The most common place is the i140 approval i797C form that carries ‘A number’ assigned to you:

Find A or Alien number-on i140 approval — Find A or Alien number on the i140 approval

Many times, the H1B visa employer does not share i140 approvals with the employee. In that case, you can use the FOIA request and may need this A-number to improve your application.

EAD card – Alien Number

You can find your unique A number on your EAD card if any was ever issued to you. This includes OPT EAD, H4 EAD, L2 EAD, etc.

On the EAD card, the USCIS# is the same as your A number and can be used whenever you need to enter the Alien number.

Alien Registration number on EAD card — The Alien Registration number on the EAD card

Example:

A number will be required on the i-485 green card medical application form i-693.

Green Card Alien Registration Number

Green card also uses the term ‘USCIS#’ to mean Alien number.

Alien registration number on green card — The alien registration number on the green card

Immigrant visa – Alien registration number

On your US immigrant visa, the same A number is referred to as the ‘Registration number’.

Find Alien number on immigrant visa — Find the Alien number on an immigrant visa

A number is assigned only to people who file any visa application with the USA with the intent of permanent residence.

Hence, an H1B visa will not have the USCIS# or A number listed on the visa.

i485 Receipt Notice

You can find your A-number on the i485 receipt notice as well if you do not have access to your i140.

You will need this A-number if you want to interfile the i-693 medical form before USCIS issues an RFE for your pending ‘Adjustment-of-status’.

Alien number on i-485 receipt notice — The alien number on the i-485 receipt notice

H1B Receipt Notice A Number

H1B applicants are assigned the A number once their employer files a Green Card PERM application and then i140.

A Number format: A-XXX-XXX-XXX

A number on H1B receipt notice — A number on the H1B receipt notice

FAQ

Where is My A Number?

You can find your USCIS A-number on your EAD card, Green Card, Immigrant visa stamp, i140 approved i797 form, or work visa i797 C receipt notice.

Is the A number and PERM case number the same?

The PERM A number and USCIS A number are not the same.

A number on i140 approval is a 9-digit number whereas ETA 9089 number is a 10-digit number.
ETA number format: T-XXXXX-XXXX
A Number format: A-XXX-XXX-XXX

Does the H4 visa holder have an A number?

H4 visa holders do not get an A number.

The A-number printed on H1B i140 approval is only for the primary H1B.

Should I mention the A number on the H4 EAD form?

You should mention the A number on the H4 EAD form if you were assigned an Alien number in the past.

Is A number mandatory on the USCIS i693 medical form?

A number is not mandatory on the USCIS i693 form. You can leave it blank if you do not have the A number assigned yet.

In most cases, you will need to file the i693 form when you are filing your i485 green card application. If you are filling the i693 form after you have already filed the i485, then your A number is written on your i485 receipt notice.